Dry cell



ATTRNEY G. M. LITTLE ET AL DRY CELL Filed Dec May 3, 1927.

WITNESSES Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. LITTLE, 0F PITTSBURGH, AND JAMES G. FORD, 0F WILKINSBURG, PENN- SYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO WESTINGHOUSEY ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COH- PANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DRY CELL.

Application mea December 21, 192s. Asia-m1 No. esao'za.

Our invention relates to primary cells and particularly to those of the type known as dry cells.

In dry cells it is desirable to provide means by which'the cells may be stored a Vreasonable length of time without losing their electrical properties as, otherwise, the cells deteriorate rapidly when not in use.

It is also desirable, for obvious electricalI reasons, to provide cells which have low internal reslstance.

One obJect of our invention 1s, therefore,

' to provide a cell whicliishall lnot deteriorate provide a rapidly when it is not inuse.

. Another object of our invention kis to provide a cell which shall have a low internal resistance.

Another object is to provide multiple and well distributed connections between the zinc electrode and the terminal so that the terminal will continue to function when the zinc becomes v'severed orv weakened by' corrosion at a point near the 'top of the cell, where chemical action lis-most rapid.

Still anothr'object of our inventionis to cell which shall be compact and stitutes a rigid which .may be conveniently moved fro/n1v place tofplace. y

In the ordinary zinc-carbon dry cell, the zinc' electrode is the container. Inside of the zinc-electrode is a paper linin containling the carbon, depolarizer and e ectrolyte. It is known that these cells `deteriorate somewhat when not in use. It is. also known that the internal' resistance usually is high because of imperfect contact between the zinc,

the porous paper or cloth separator and the materialtcontaining the depolarizer.

The deterioration' of dry cells may be prevented, to a considerable degree, by utilizing amalgamated zinc containers, but, when that is done, the soldered-on terminals drop off after a short time and the containers become very brittle and weak.

It is also known that the high resistance by an intimate contact between the zinc, the porous paper or cloth separator and the depolarizer material, but

the 'ordinary type of dry cell does not provide efficiently for this pressure.

Our structure provides a cell of low internal resistance and one which has a long life when not in use. Ity also provides termiv polarizer. The carbon electrode is embedded in the center ofvthis brick. The zinc electrode surrounds this core, and is held tightly against it by means of a binder.

In the drawing constituting/a part hereof and in'which like characters des1gnate like parts, l

Figure 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of our. celland f Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along theyline II--II 0f Figure 1.

Referring to Flg. 1,. he carbon electrode 1 in the center of the Icell is surrounded b a core or brick 2 which COlIlPI'ses the elisetrolyte and the depolarizer.` The core 2 conframe work whichI supports the cell. d, l

/A' layer of starchedpaper 3 is wrapped aroundv the sides of the brick 2 and extends over a part of the top and bottom of the brick. Amalgamated angular. zinc electrodes 4.- and 4 surround the core except for short spaces at two of the ldia'gonalcorners. Each of the amalgamated electrodes is composed of ,L-shape strips of zinc. Terminal conductors 5 for the two yZinc elec` trodes are twisted together to form a single terminal. Y

In order to avoid the use of solder, each lelectrode terminal consists of an amalgamated copper wire 5 whichis threaded in and out through holes in the zincy strips to securely fasten the terminals to the zinc electrodes and form a perfect contact at the bottom, as well as at the middle and top. The amalgamated electrode is next-wrapped tightly with a layer of tarred paper 6, which, in turn, is wrapped tightly by means of a string 7, or an equivalent binder, in order to maintain a high pressure on the electrode and core. Finally, a waterproof insulatin material l8, such as another layer of tarre paper, is wrapped on the outside. A wax seal 9 completes the enclosure.

It will be noted that we have provided a cell with a rigid frame member comprising an electrolyte and a depolarizer. Amalga- Although we have described la specific em bodiment ofour invention, we do not limit it thereto since various modifications thereof p will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of ourinvention, the scope of which is defined in the annexed'claims.

We claim as our invention: v

1. In a primary cell, a rigid core member, comprising an electrol te and a depolarizer, an electrode embedd in the'core member. an electrode surrounding the core member and means for maintaining uniform pressure on all sides ofthe core.

2. In a primary cell, a rigidcore member com rising an electrolyte and a depolarizer, an diectrode embedded in the core member, an electrode surrounding the core member and means for maintaining uniform pressure on the external electrode and the core.

' 3. In a primary cell, a rigid core member comprising anelectrolyte and a depolarizer, an electrode embedded in the core member, an electrode external to, and partly surrounding, the Vcore member, said lelectrode A comprising a plurality of'p'arts, and means A. comprisin "for'maintaining a" uniform pressure on all sides of theexternal electrode ,and the core. 4. In aprimary cel 1a rigidcore'member comprising an electrol e and Ta depolarizer, inthe core member,

an `electrode external to, and 'partly surrounding, the core member, a porous partition between. the core member and the external electrode and means for maintaining pressure on all sides of the external electrode Y and the core.

` `5.y In a primary cell, a rigid core member comprising an electrol te and a depolarizer, an electrode embedde in the core member, an electrode external to, and partly surrounding, the core member, said electrode a plurality of parts, a porous partition tween the core member and the external electrode and vmeans for maintaining pressure on all sides of the external electrode and the core.

6. In a primary cell, a rigid core member com risin yan electrolyte and a depolariz'er, an e ectr ,e embedde in the core member,

. an electrode external to and partl surrounding, the core member, a termina conductor having a plurality of contacts with the excom'rising a plurality of parts, a terminal con uctor having a plurality 4of contacts with the external electrolyte, and means for maintaining pressure on all sides ofthe external lelectrode and the core.

8. In a primary cell, a rigidI core member comprising an electrolyte and a depolarizer,

an electrode embedded in the core member,

an amalgamated Aelectrode external to,-and

partly surrounding, 'said core member, a porous partition between the external electrode and the core member and means for maintaining pressure on all sides of the external electrode and the core member.

9. In a primarycell, a .rigid core member comprisin an electrolyte and a depolarizer, an electro e embedded in the core member, an amalgamated electrodmexternal to, and partl surrounding, said core member, a terminal. 'conductor having a plurality of contacts with the external electrode and means for maintaining pressure on all sides of the external electrode and the core. i

10. In a primary cell, a rigid core member comprising an electrotliyte and .a depolarizer, an electrode embedde in the core member an amalgamated electrode 4external to, and partlysurrounding', the core member, said electrode comprising a plurality of L-shape bars, a porous partition between the core member and external electrode and means for maintaining pressure on all sides of the external electrode and the core.

11. In a primary cell, a rigid core member comprising an electrol and a depolarizer, an electrode embedde in the core member, amalgamated electrodes external to and partly surrounding the core member, said electrode comprising a plurality of L-'shape bars, a'porous partition enclosing the c'ore member, tension means wrapped over the external electrodes for lmaintaining pressure on the external electrodes and the core, and a `waterproof insulator enclosing the cell.

12. The method of forming a cell which comprises making a rigid core of an electro` lyte and a depolarizer, placing an electrode around said core and maintaining ressure on all sides of said electrode and sai core.

13. The method of forming a cell which comprises makin `a rigid core of an electrolyte and a depo arizer, enclosing said core in a porous material, placin an amalgamated electrode in contact wifi 'said porous material and maintainin pressunem'on all sides' of said electrode an said core.

14A The method of forming al cell which comprises makin a rigid core of an electrolyte and a depo arizer, enclosing said core in a porous material, placing an amalgamated electrode in contact with said porous material, forming a plurality of contacts between said core andI a terminal conductor, and maintaining pressure on said electrode, core and terminal conductor.

15. The method of forming a cell which comprises making a rigid core of an electrolyte and a depolarizer enclosing said core in a porous material, placing an amalga- 1 A mated electrode in contact with, and around, said porous material, forming a plurality of contacts between said core and a terminal conductor, maintaining pressure on said terminal conductor, electrodes and core and enclosing thecell ina watertight insulator'.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 17th day of Dc- 2 cember, 1923e GEORGE M. LITTLE. JAMES G. FORD. 

